Written by Mariyam Sara
Published on November 03, 2023 | 4 min read
Multi-cap mutual funds invest in equity and equity-related instruments of companies belonging to different market capitalisation segments, i.e., large, mid, and small-cap.
As per SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) guidelines, multi-cap funds are mandated to invest at least 75% of their total assets in equity and equity-related instruments, with at least 25% exposure to each market segment.
Investing in multi-cap mutual funds offers benefits, such as diversification, a balance of growth and stability, growth potential, convenience, and professional management.
A multi-cap fund is a type of mutual fund that has a diversified portfolio of stocks, as it invests across different market segments, such as small-cap, mid-cap and large-cap stocks.
Let’s explore the features of mutual funds and advantages of investing in them.
The following are the features of multi-cap mutual funds.
Multi-cap funds invest in companies of various sizes and across different market capitalizations. This spreads the risk across multiple market segments and can reduce the impact of volatility in any single segment of the market. Risk and Return
Multi-cap funds provide a balance between the growth potential of small- and mid-cap stocks and the different risk and return characteristics associated with large-cap stocks. Investors seeking a middle ground in terms of return and risk can consider investing in multi-cap stocks, but they should note that multi-cap funds, too, remain subject to equity market risks.
Most multi-cap funds are managed actively by professional fund managers who constantly monitor market conditions and adjust the fund’s allocation.
The exact investment strategy and objective of multi-cap funds differ from one fund to another. While some focus on value investing and growth investing, others choose a combination of both, depending on the goals of the fund.
The following are the advantages of investing in multi-cap mutual funds.
Multi-cap funds help investors achieve broader diversification by investing money in a combination of small-cap, mid-cap and large-cap stocks across various industries and sectors. The risk can be spread out, the portfolio can be adjusted by the fund manager based on the fund's investment strategy. However, multi-cap funds must maintain a minimum of 25% asset allocation to each market capitalisation category.
Through multi-cap funds, investors seek to strike a balance between returns and risk. Multi-cap funds provide exposure to large-, mid- and small-cap stocks, each of which has different risk and return characteristics.
Through small and mid-cap stocks, multi-cap funds have the opportunity for growth, while large-cap stocks have different risk and return characteristics and are widely regarded as stable.
Investors investing in multi-cap funds gain access to the expertise of professional fund managers who make the investment decisions for them. The managers have extensive experience and the resources that help them make informed investment choices.
Investing in multi-cap funds is convenient because investors get access to a diversified portfolio without having to choose and manage individual stocks belonging to different market segments. This saves both time and effort.
Multi-cap funds offer investors the benefit of diversification by investing across large-, mid-, and small-cap companies and can be a suitable route to gain long-term equity exposure across different market segments.
However, investors should consider their financial goals, investment horizon, and risk tolerance before investing.
Investing in multi-cap mutual funds carries several advantages, such as diversification, a balance of growth and stability, growth potential, convenience, and professional management.
Multi-cap funds can be suitable for long-term investors who are comfortable with equity market risks and want exposure to different market-cap segments.
Multi-cap funds spread investments across large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks, which can reduce dependence on any single market-cap segment.
Yes, multi-cap funds can be risky investments due to mandated allocation in mid- and small-cap stocks.
About Author
holds an MBA in Finance and is a true Finance Fanatic. She writes extensively on all things finance whether it’s stock trading, personal finance, or insurance, chances are she’s covered it. When she’s not writing, she’s busy pursuing NISM certifications, experimenting with new baking recipes.
Read more from MariyamUpstox is a leading Indian financial services company that offers online trading and investment services in stocks, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, and more. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Mumbai, Upstox is backed by prominent investors including Ratan Tata, Tiger Global, and Kalaari Capital. It operates under RKSV Securities and is registered with SEBI, NSE, BSE, and other regulatory bodies, ensuring secure and compliant trading experiences.
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